East Houston Rezoning Victory!

Last month, GVSHP, other community groups, and the local Community Board appeared at the City Council to oppose a developer’s proposed rezoning of a stretch of East Houston Street. The Mayor’s City Planning Commission had approved it, but the Borough President opposed it and Councilmember Rosie Mendez, in whose district it was located, expressed strong reservations. At the hearing, GVSHP pointed out that the proposed rezoning would provide no public benefit, was supported only by this developer and his well-connected lobbyist, and contravened the intentions of the community-initiated East Village/Lower East Side Rezoning of 2008, which GVSHP helped fight for.

Testifying before the Council, GVSHP also highlighted the hypocrisy of the Mayor supporting a rezoning plan which would eliminate much-needed community facilities for low-income people in the area. GVSHP also suggested that if the Mayor wanted to support rezonings in the area, he should look at our University Place/Broadway Rezoning Plan, which is widely supported and would contain affordable housing provisions and limit the size and height of new development, but which he has consistently opposed. GVSHP urged the Council to vote this rezoning plan down.

We are now happy to report that last week the developer withdrew the rezoning plan, sensing defeat at the City Council. Who says you can’t fight City Hall and win?